The New York State Probation Officers Association’s Executive Board sincerely hopes that the following information will encourage you to join or renew your membership with the Association. The NYSPOA is YOUR professional association within New York State representing Probation Officers’ professional interests. As a member, the NYSPOA will provide you with a voice that is heard. You will also gain knowledge on what is happening in other Probation Departments around the state. You will have access to exchange ideas, feedback, and information with other Officers. Without the support and dedication of its members, the NYSPOA would not be able to exist. Your participation is greatly appreciated!
Membership Benefits
Legal Defense Fund
This fund was created for active members to cover initial attorney costs for officers who become involved in a critical incident and may be in need of immediate legal services. The NYSPOA will provide $1500 for initial attorney fees for the period immediately following the incident. This can help officers during a critical situation where their specific county or union does not have policies in place to address legal fees involving critical incidents. For more information on the Legal Defense Fund, click here.
NYSPOA Newsletters / Electronic Communications
As a member, you will have direct access to and be included on our electronic communications, mailings, and surveys.
NYSPOA’s Training Conferences
As a member, you will receive a discount on the registration cost at our training conferences. You are also eligible to enter into the random drawing for a scholarship to cover the cost of the conference registration. The workshops offered at the NYSPOA conference may be applied toward New York State’s mandatory Peace Officer training hours.
Opportunities to Become Involved
Active members are eligible to run for a position on the Executive Board, vote during the association’s elections, attend quarterly meetings, and serve on the Association’s committees. NYSPOA members may also have an opportunity to serve on many state committees, task forces, and work groups and give testimony before the state legislature in making recommendations regarding state probation policies and procedures.
Please do not hesitate to contact any member of the NYSPOA Executive Board or committees for more information or if you would like to become more active within the Association. We are elected to this organization to assist in promoting the profession of Probation and will be happy to help in any way possible. Our Board is always looking for officers who wish to become more involved in the organization – both as members and Board representatives.
*Membership begins the date you join by paying annual dues. Membership expires one year from this date.
Two ways to register or renew your membership:
Classes of Membership:
Active Membership
This category of membership is available to any individual currently employed in a professional non-administrative capacity in any Probation department in New York State. This category shall include Probation Supervisors, Senior Probation Officers, Probation Officers, Probation Officer Trainees, Probation Officer Assistants, and any other Probation title accepted by the Executive Board of the Association. Active Members shall enjoy all the privileges of membership in the Association and shall be considered as a voting member of the region in which they are employed. Active members are also eligible to utilize the Legal Defense Fund, as previously described.
Administrative Membership
This category of membership shall be available to all persons employed as Probation administrators including Commissioners, Directors, Deputies or any individual eligible for membership in the (New York State) Council of Probation Administrators. Also eligible are individuals employed by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services and the New York State Office of Probation and Correctional Alternatives. Administrative Members shall have all the privileges of Active Members in the Association with the exception of access to the Legal Defense Fund, voting, and holding elective office in the Association. Should an Executive Board member’s status change prior to the commencement of the next election and during his/her term of office, that member will be permitted to complete his/her term of office, but may not seek re-election.
Organizational Membership
This category of membership is available to colleges, other associations, or any group having a mutual interest in Probation or the criminal justice professions in general. Organizational Members are entitled to regular receipt of Association communications and to submit material to the Association for distribution to its membership with the approval of the Executive Board. Organizational Members shall be afforded the opportunity to solicit Association members to attend seminars, purchase products and to enlist the support of individual Association members in matters of mutual concern. Organizations may be denied membership through a majority vote of the Executive Board. Organizational Members shall have no voting rights within the Association, nor are they eligible to access the Legal Defense Fund.
Associate/Student Membership
This category of membership shall be available to college students enrolled in Criminal Justice, Political Science, Public Administration, Social Work or similar college programs. In addition, any other individual interested in the goals of the Association is eligible for Associate/Student Membership. Associate/Student Members shall be entitled to all membership privileges with the exclusion of access to the Legal Defense Fund, voting rights and the holding of elective office in the Association.
Retiree Membership
This category of membership shall be offered to all former Active and Administrative Members at the time of retirement. Retiree Members shall be entitled to all active membership privileges with the exclusion of access to the Legal Defense Fund, voting rights, and the holding of elective office in the Association. Should an Executive Board member retire during his/her term of office, that individual will be permitted to complete the term of office, but may not seek re-election. Retiree Members may remain active as members, serve on committees, or be appointed as members of the Board of Consultants, but shall not have voting privileges or be permitted to exercise votes by proxy.
Honorary Membership
This category of membership shall be bestowed by majority vote of the Executive Board upon any Association member or any other individual as a special recognition for an outstanding contribution to the field of Probation or for special or long-term meritorious service to the Association. This category of membership shall be excluded from voting rights and the right to hold office in the Association.
Life Membership
This category of membership shall be bestowed by the Executive Board and the member granted Life Membership shall enjoy all the rights of the membership category to which this member is otherwise eligible to belong. Members in this category will be exempt from paying dues.